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Castro Statement on Possibility of Adding Venezuela to State Sponsors of Terrorism List

Nov 20, 2018

Press Release

WASHINGTON—Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, and First Vice Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, today made the following statement:

"We've seen Nicolás Maduro undermine Venezuelan democracy and create a regional economic and humanitarian catastrophe. It's clear the United States needs to hold him and other senior Venezuelan leaders responsible. But designating a county as a state sponsor of terror requires a high standard of proof that the Administration must provide if they pursue this course of action. Such designation must also include waivers to the sanctions for humanitarian assistance and continue support through a multilateral approach, through the Organization of American States, to address Maduro's actions.

"President Maduro consistently violates the basic human rights of the people he governs, and must be held accountable. But we cannot undermine the seriousness of a State Sponsors of Terrorism designation until we know for sure that Venezuela meets the legal standard, and I await the Administration's justification for this action."